Chapter 8
Two years had passed now, and Dean was turning nine the upcoming weekend. The weather was cold and snowy most of the time, but Beverly rented the small room at the pizza place for Dean to have a small party and invite a few of his friends from school. He was lucky this year and his birthday fell on a Saturday, making it convenient for the other kids to come. He requested no gifts, thinking he didn't need anything more than what he had already. There was a small video room, and the kids could play video games and stuff themselves with pizza and cake.
The years were kind to Dean, and he flourished in the nurturing care of Beverly and George. He shot up in height and filled out in muscle, a lot due to the karate classes that he was still taking and working on the farm. He had earned a green belt by now and was proud of what he had accomplished. He had also started playing little league baseball at the school and George and Beverly never missed a game. He was allowed to try new experiences to broaden his education and life. Those that he liked, he would continue with and those he didn't he would drop.
Slowly, and with a lot of caution, Dean was starting to come out of his shell and was being a kid and enjoying the life he now had. He couldn't believe how much time had passed for him and that it had been so good. He had a few low moments, but they had passed with no ill after affects with Beverly and George's tender and compassionate care.
He was nearly eight when they went to court and finalized the adoption. They went out to dinner that night and celebrated the good news. Dean was happy to have a family again, but memories kept flitting just on the outskirts of his mind that he couldn't latch onto and remember. He knew they had to do with his past and he suppressed them once again, not wanting to feel the raw, mind numbing emotions attached to them.
spn
Saturday morning rolled around cold and clear, but no snow, which was good. Dean got up and showered before heading to the kitchen to fix himself some breakfast. He insisted on making his own when he turned eight, thinking Beverly did enough for him and he could help her out by doing his part. During the week, Beverly made sure he had a good breakfast before going to school. She wanted him to be prepared for the day, but weekends she let Dean do it.
"Good morning, Dean, and Happy Birthday sweetie," Beverly greeted him when she walked into the kitchen from the laundry room. "Do you feel a year older?"
Dean shrugged and gave her a small smile as he put an English muffin in the toaster to brown. He had some of Beverly's homemade preserves to top it with and a glass of milk. He waited for the muffin to toast as Beverly moved behind him putting dishes from the dishwasher away in the cabinets.
"I made you a pecan pie to have here tonight because I know you prefer that to the cake that we will have at your party."
"Thanks," Dean replied in a warm voice. "You're too good to me."
"Sweetie, I love you, how could I not be good to you?" Beverly told him kissing the top of his head. "I figure we'd leave at ten-thirty to get to the pizza parlor and be sure everything is set up and ready. Your friends should be there by eleven-thirty."
"Okay, sounds good to me," he nodded as he munched on the muffin and drank his milk. He did talk more now but was in no way a chatterbox like most kids his age. Beverly and George could see the haunting in his eyes at times and knew he was remembering his past and the trauma he had suffered.
"Is George out in the garage?" Dean asked when he didn't see him in the house.
"He's outside doing something honey. You know he has to stay busy tinkering, he can't hardly sit still," she laughed softly and lovingly.
"I'll go feed and water the hens."
"Alright, but mind Miss Penny out there, she's been in a mood the past few days. I don't know if she's about to molt or what. Oh, and take that small head of cabbage I bought and hang in the coop for them to peck at."
"I will. Miss Penny doesn't bother me. She acts all huffy, but I don't mind." Dean stuffed the last bite of muffin in his mouth and went to the fridge for the cabbage head. He had learned so much living on the farm, from how to keep chickens alive during the winter, to tearing down a small engine and fixing it. He headed into the laundry room to put on his heavy winter outerwear. He pulled a watch cap over his ears and zipped his jacket before heading outside into the blistering, cold January day.
He hunkered in his jacket and made his way to the chicken coop to give them food and be sure they had water. They had to be fed inside during the winter. Beverly kept a light burning in the coop during the day so that they would lay during the winter months. He wasn't afraid of the hens anymore, now that he had gotten older and were used to them.
Once Dean was finished with the chickens, he looked around the yard before heading to the barn thinking George must be in there. He went in the small door and quickly shut it behind him to keep in the heat.
"Morning birthday boy," George called to him. He was working at one of the work benches and wiped his hands when he saw Dean. Moses was lying near the stove to stay warm and raised his head and woofed softly at Dean.
"Mornin' George, another cold one today," Dean replied moving to the stove to get warm and shed his outer layers that he hung on a hook nearby. He walked over to see what George was working on and saw a weed eater motor torn down.
"Yep, that it is. I was going to save this until later, but since you're here I might as well give it to you now," George told him as he pulled a small, wrapped box off a shelf. "Before you open this, you have to promise me you'll be careful with it."
"Okay, thanks," Dean replied, a slightly puzzled look on his face. He accepted the small package and turned it over in his hands before unwrapping it and opening the box. Inside, nestled in tissue paper was a pocketknife that had his initials on it. Dean carefully took it from the box and looked at it. He pulled out the two blades and tested one on his finger seeing how sharp it was. He folded the blades back in place and smiled happily at George. "Thanks."
"Now, no taking it to school or anything, okay? I figured every boy needs a pocketknife and you're old enough now to be responsible and not hurt yourself with it."
Dean nodded his understanding and slipped the knife into his jeans pocket and patted it. He felt elated and overjoyed with the small gift and if he didn't get anything else, it didn't matter.
"Can I help?" Dean asked as he stepped to the bench to see what George was doing.
"Sure, it needs the carburetor cleaned and then put back together. Why don't you put that old apron on, Beverly will have my hide if you get all greasy and dirty before your party," he chuckled handing Dean an apron for him to use.
Dean giggled softly with George's remark as he put the apron on and slipped on a pair of nitrate gloves. He got a brush and some cleaner and tackled the carburetor, being sure to clean the float so it moved easily. He wiped it down and began to carefully put the motor back together while George watched in case Dean needed help. George was so proud of him for all that he accomplished over the past couple of years and made sure he knew it.
spn
"We better head back inside or Bev will come looking for us," George told Dean as he glanced at his watch. "By the time you clean up, it'll be time to head into town."
"Okay, don't want to get on her bad side," Dean replied laying down the tool he was using and taking off the apron and gloves. He wiped his hands and went to put on his winter gear so they could go back to the house. He whistled to Moses as George opened the door to let them out. They followed George back to the house and Dean headed to his bedroom to get ready to leave.
It didn't take him long to wash up, use the bathroom, and change his shirt and shoes. Dean headed back to the kitchen to wait for Beverly and George. The drive into town to the pizza parlor would take about thirty-five minutes since it was Saturday morning. Traffic was always lighter on the weekend than during the work week.
"Alright, you ready to go Dean?" Beverly asked him as she strolled back into the kitchen putting on her coat.
Dean nodded yes and got up from the kitchen table as George came down the hall to join them.
"Is everyone ready?" he asked exuberantly clapping his hands together. "Here honey, let me take the cake."
Beverly had baked a cake for the party and allowed George to take it from her.
"Thanks Georgie, should I drive?"
"Fine with me, Dean? You think Bev will be okay to drive? She's not getting too old or forgetful?"
Dean snickered and shrugged knowing the game they played with each other. It was funny to watch them fawn over the other and saw how much in love they were. They headed out to the SUV and got in. Beverly cranked it and let it warm up before pulling out and heading into town.
Dean sat in the back holding the cake on the seat and looked out the window at the passing scenery. He was a little anxious and nervous about the party but tried not to show it. It didn't matter to him whether he had one or not, but it made Beverly happy, so he agreed to it. Her face lit up with happiness and that pleased Dean.
The parking lot for the pizza parlor was almost empty since it was early, but Beverly had called the day before so they could get in early. Once she parked, they got out and went inside with the cake. A server showed them to the small room used for parties that was set up with plates, napkins, plastic silverware, and decorations. Beverly sat the cake at the end of the table and checked over the room to be sure it was set up the way she wanted. Drink orders would be taken when the guests arrived, and the pizzas would be cooked and brought out then too.
Dean's school friends arrived at eleven-thirty, and they went into the video room to play a few games while the pizzas were being made and cooked. There were only five boys from Dean's classes that he invited, all a year older than him since he had skipped a grade.
At first the other students ignored Dean when he started in their classes, but it wasn't long before he was accepted by most of them. There were always one or two who thought they could bully the new kid or others smaller than them, but Dean took them down on the playground one day using his karate skills and he was left alone after that. He watched out for other kids and wouldn't let them be bullied either and word got around about him as being a protector for the smaller kids. He had this strange feeling there was a reason for him being protective of the younger kids, but just couldn't figure it out yet. He though it had to do with his past, but didn't think too hard about it.
When the pizzas and drinks arrived, Beverly and George herded the boys into the room and let them eat their fill of pizza and then after singing happy birthday to Dean, cut the cake. Beverly could tell Dean was uncomfortable with the attention, but he hid it well from the other boys. The party went well, and parents came by at twelve-thirty to pick up their kids. Beverly packed up the leftover pizza to take home with them but left the cake for the workers at the pizza parlor since there was a pie waiting at home for them.
"Did you have a fun time Dean?" George asked him as they entered the kitchen at home.
"Yes, thank you," he replied politely. "It was fun, and everyone enjoyed themselves." He sat the leftover pizza in the fridge for later and grabbed a water.
"Dean, do you want your gifts now or later?" Beverly asked.
"I think later," Dean decided wanting to relax a little before doing anything else. "It'll give me something to look forward to."
"Alright, we'll do them after dinner tonight, how's that?"
"It's fine," Dean nodded. He headed to his room to rest and read for a while before dinner. Dean loved to read and devoured the books he checked out from the public library and the library at school. He read diverse topics, fiction and non-fiction, from mechanics to gardening to history to mystery and adventure. He was drawn to horror stories, monsters, and urban legends also and read every book he could on the subjects.
Dean made himself comfortable on his bed with the latest book he was reading on the old west and how it was settled. He sipped on his water and got up once to use the bathroom. Dean's eyes started getting heavy after another half hour and let the book fall to his chest as he dozed off. He slept peacefully for a while until tidbits of a dream invaded his thoughts and he saw himself much younger holding a baby in his arms. He rolled his head and moaned softly, 'Sammy' before the dream slipped away and was forgotten.
A/N: Dean is thriving, but there's a twist coming that will turn his life upside down. I hope you're ready for the first big bump in the road. Thanks for coming along for the ride. Reviews/Comments would be nice. NC